Category Archives: RED

Discover New Grapes: A Global Wine Adventure

Recently I had the opportunity to introduce 20 lovely people to 9 different grapes from 5 different countries, in 3 different sparkling wines, and 2 still ones. I am not a fan of boring wines, nor of showing people what … Continue reading

Posted in Austria, British Columbia, Cava, Chardonnay, Cinsault, Lambrusco, Lebanon, Macabeu, Macabeu/Viura, OTHER, Parellada, RED, Shiraz / Syrah, Spain, Sparkling Wine, WHITE, Xarel-lo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Château La Tour du Pin Figeac, Saint Émilion, Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 12.5% abv., 1998, US$37 (opened October 30, 2025)

I panicked a little while searching for something to take to a friend’s for dinner. I found this 1998 sitting at the bottom of the wine cabinet. I had honestly forgotten it was there. Initially, I was concerned I’d missed … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, France, Merlot, OTHER, RED | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Volunteer Wine Tastings: Enriching Lives Through Shared Experiences

This past summer, I led a couple of tastings for residents at my mom’s long term care community.  It may be long term care, but everyone who attends is interested and active and wants to learn more.  It’s terribly gratifying … Continue reading

Posted in Burgundy, Chardonnay, Croatia, France, Italy, OTHER, Pinot Noir, Posip, Verdicchio, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Watching the 2025 Harvest at Le Romanée-Conti – Chardonnay, Gerard Boyer, ‘Aux Gravains’, Savigny-les-Beaune, Premier Cru, Bourgogne, France, 2023, 13% abv., 35 Euros (C$58)

Doubters of global warming will continue to rail against obvious signs, but while I was in Burgundy for Harvest 2025, it was hard to ignore the facts about the effects. This year was extremely hot, and there were vineyards being … Continue reading

Posted in Burgundy, Chardonnay, France, OTHER, Pinot Noir, RED, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Meeting a 5th Generation Vigneron in Meursault, France – Domaine Millot-Bernard

In August 2025, I took a ten day solo trip to Burgundy during the harvest.  A year prior, I’d made a friend who connected me with his family.  I returned during harvest to experience as much as was possible in … Continue reading

Posted in Aligote, Burgundy, Chardonnay, France, Gamay, OTHER, Pinot Noir, RED, Shiraz / Syrah, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Spreading the Love; Wine and Whiskey Tastings

So far, 2025 has been the year of monthly wine and whiskey tastings, plus the second installment of a something we call ‘Gin’Mas’ around these parts. I’ve been a frequently invited volunteer at one of the local long term care … Continue reading

Posted in Chardonnay, Grenache / Garnacha, Red, red wine, Savagnin, Spain, SPIRITS, Vernaccia, Whiskey/Whisky | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

9 Late Llama Wine Posts

Back in 2013 when I started this blog (has it been that long?), I did so because I needed to get faster and better at recording WSET tasting notes in anticipation of Diploma exams. My theory at the time was … Continue reading

Posted in BC, Burgundy, France, Italy, OTHER, RED, Red, SPIRITS, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bacca Nera/Red Blend, Scappatello, Cantina Diubaldo, Cerasuolo D’Abruzzo DOC, Abruzzo, Italy, 13% abv., 2022, US$17

Azienda Agricola Diubaldo is located near Teramo, Abruzzo, Italy – just north of where we travelled in August 2022, and to the east of the Grand Sasso d’Italia, aka the Apennines (right). They produce some pretty awesome certified organic wines … Continue reading

Posted in Italy, OTHER, RED, red wine, ROSE | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chorus Cuvée Rouge, Brendel, Napa Valley AVA, California, 2021, 13% abv., US$35

What a refreshingly gorgeous red wine this is – the Chorus Cuvée is a Napa Valley field blend co-ferment of 32% Tempranillo, 26% Touriga Nacional, 22% Tinta Cão, 12% Tinta Madeira, and 8% Trousseau. It’s a translucent beauty offering aromas … Continue reading

Posted in California, OTHER, RED, Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pinot Noir, Les Épenotes, Premier Cru, Maison Evenstad, Beaune, Burgundy, France, 13.5% abv., US$110

One of the tasting experiences during my day in Burgundy was at Domaine du Château de la Crée in very tiny Santenay.  The Château dates back to 1431, and its main building was burned down during the French Revolution. Santenay … Continue reading

Posted in Burgundy, France, Pinot Noir, RED | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment